Consortium of Renowned Education Centers to Advance Learning through Technology
Lenovo today announced the Global Education Research Program, an initiative that will analyze and measure the impact of technology on students’ educational experiences at various levels, ranging from first grade through higher education, both inside and outside the classroom.
Educational institutions have embraced using technology such as PCs, multimedia materials and interactive white boards in the classroom over the past decade to help students develop 21st century skills and to connect administrators and streamline district operations. The new Lenovo initiative aims to gain a complete view of the role and impact of technology in all aspects of the learning environment. The research will benefit Lenovo’s existing and future education customers and programs by helping to outline clear actions and best practices for national, provincial and local governments to improve their use of technology in education. The Program kicks off during Lenovo’s 12th annual Think Tank education conference hosted this year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC on June 1-3.
Lenovo Taps Top Education Talent to Drive Research
Lenovo has leveraged its global network of customers and partners to create a network of education centers that will contribute the best practices in education and across all disciplines, in and out of the traditional classroom. Initial program participants include the following centers:
University of North Carolina Center for Faculty Excellence, Chapel Hill, NC - The University's established faculty center will immediately begin developing and evaluating new faculty development strategies necessary to support instructional innovation. Beginning September 2009, UNC faculty will be awarded grants from Lenovo to research the efficacy of technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
Institute for International Leadership, Honolulu, HI - Going live in July 2010, the Institute for International Leadership will bring together top schools in the U.S. and China to foster a multinational, multilingual online learning framework driven by technology. The Institute will promote leadership development in academics and in public service for secondary school students and teachers and encourage international collaboration.
Tiger Woods Learning Center, Anaheim, CA - Launched in February 2006, the Tiger Woods Learning Center is a one-of-a-kind life experience custom built for underserved youth. The Center is technology-rich, innovative and motivates students who are imaginative, engaged and planning their paths to college and a career. This after school campus, designed to inspire career exploration, serves members in grades five through twelve. Classes include forensic science, robotics, engineering, aerospace, video production and marine biology.
The Lenovo Global Education Research Program will conduct both quantitative and qualitative studies using an updated set of criteria defined by the consortium and that are relevant to the skills students must possess to be successful in today’s society. Each center will be led by members of the center as well as an esteemed body of academic advisors and Lenovo education practice experts.
Lenovo is developing the Global Education Research Centers in partnership with Microsoft and Intel.
Building Upon a Foundation Based on PC Technology
At the core of the Global Education Research Program are Lenovo PCs which have been in classrooms for many years. Lenovo works with more than 400 colleges, universities and schools for 1:1 PC deployments across the U.S. and as part of the ThinkPad Universities program. Lenovo tailors its PC solutions to fit their needs with options such as the ThinkPad Ultimate Academic PC Program. This program packages ThinkPad laptops powered by Intel® Centrino® 2 Processor Technology with Microsoft Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Office Ultimate and other software for an affordable solution. Lenovo also works with thousands of primary and secondary schools to integrate PC technology into curriculums with laptops, desktops and recently with netbooks, such as the IdeaPad S10e netbook designed for education. Lenovo also offers schools information and services regarding the U.S. federal economic stimulus solution.
About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is dedicated to building exceptionally engineered personal computers. Lenovo’s business model is built on innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.
QUOTE SHEET
"This collaboration with Lenovo allows us to advance the University's commitment to instructional quality. Improving student learning outcomes in higher education goes hand in hand with supporting instructors by providing them with the technologies and the tools they need,” said Todd Zakrajsek, executive director of the Center for Faculty Excellence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “By mobilizing our talented faculty, we hope to contribute to an improved understanding about the efficacy of technology in teaching, learning, and faculty development,"
According to Wendi Kamiya, CIO of Punahou School, “In our rapidly shrinking world, international collaboration is no longer a luxury but a necessity that needs to be cultivated from an early age. The Student Global Leadership Institute will provide an opportunity for high school students from different countries to become informed, compassionate global citizens, prepared to engage with real world issues. Technology is the perfect catalyst for this collaboration. Our contribution to Lenovo’s Global Education Research Program will be to advance global education and international partnerships through testing innovative technology applications.”
“We are extremely pleased to be working with Lenovo on their Global Education Research Program,” said Kathy Bihr, executive director of the Tiger Woods Learning Center. “Our partnership with Lenovo will help us continue to offer innovative technology to our students, examining the role this technology plays in their entire learning process.”
“Education is a core value shared by all governments and cultures around the world, and the skills of the future workforce depend on the education they receive from the start,” said Michael Schmedlen, director of Worldwide Education, Lenovo. “By launching these education research centers, we are combining our worldwide activities in developed and emerging markets as well as our leadership in PC innovation, to initiate, facilitate and improve education on a global scale.”
“Extending access to rich 21st century learning environments to the students in these communities is not only philanthropic, it is essential to the future success of the children served by each of the centers; as we in fact live in a knowledge based economy where the unconnected are truly disadvantaged,” said Eileen Lento, Ph.D., Government and Education Strategist, Intel Americas.
Contacts:
Lenovo
Kristy Fair, 919-257-6329;
krisfair@lenovo.com
